Homeboyz edge Oilers to win Dala 7s Title
Homeboyz beat Menengai Oilers 19-14 to reclaim the Dala 7s title in a final at Jomo Kenyatta Stadium on Sunday 3 June 2022.
The Deejayz are now the fourth different Champion in this season's sevens campaign. They join KCB (Kabeberi), Strathmore Leos (Christie), and Mwamba (Driftwood) on the the2022 list-winning list.
Menengai Oilers and Homeboyz were facing off in the final for the first time since the 2019 Great Rift 10s in 2019. Oilers were in their second final this season while Homeboyz was appearing in their first final since 2019.
Oilers seeking to end their five-match losing streak in the National Sevens finals conceded first in the match with Homeboyz scoring through youngster Amon Wamalwa while Mike Nyakundi drilled in the extras for a 7-0 lead.
The Oiler's response came in form of a try by Amos Onyinkwa who scored under the sticks after his side claimed possession following a loose ball by Homeboyz. Mark Kwemoi splits the posts from the resultant conversion for a 7-7 tie.
Homeboyz took a five-point lead to the break with former Kenya sevens star Leornard Mugaisi scoring a try at the left corner for a 12-7 scoreline.
In the final half, Kenya Sevens player Collins Shikoli, playing in his first tournament this season, landed a try that was converted for a 19-7 lead. Oilers fought on score a late try through Beldad Ogeta but could not close in on Homeboyz.
To reach the final, the Oilers defeated KCB Rugby 14-12 in what was their fourth consecutive semi-final meeting this season. The Oilers, who scored the initial try and converted it, took a slender lead before allowing the bankers to score their first of the match via Isaac Njoroge after Timothy Okwemba was sin-binned.
Bob Muhati scored KCB's second try for a 12-7 halftime lead. Oiler's strong surge in the second half saw Dennis Abukuse score a centre post try that was converted by Kwemoi for a 14-12 lead. The try was enough to send them to the final.
Homeboyz on the other hand had eliminated Mwamba after a 14-10 win. Homeboyz took 7-5 to the breather when Mike Nyakundi cancelled Ronnie Omondi's opener and Wamalwa added the extras. The last stanza saw Tom Maina grab a converted try for Homeboyz before Mike Okello scored Mwamba's consolation.
For the second time in succession, KCB Rugby claimed bronze after they defeated Mwamba 10-7 Chrispin Onyango's converted touchdown gave Mwamba the lead, but KCB came back through skipper Michael Wanjala, who ran 60 metres to score a KCB try.
After a strong surge, Andrew Amonde scored the winning try, giving the bankers a podium finish. Strathmore Leos finished fifth in the tournament after defeating Nondies 17-12.
Kabras RFC won the Challenge Trophy after a 14-10 win over Nakuru RFC as Kenya Harlequin edged hosts Kisumu 12-7 to finish 13th.
